Nestled within the heart of Singapore’s cultural district, there is an Art Deco building that boasts the tagline: If You Must Get In Trouble, Do It At The Vagabond. A provocative way to sell a hotel, particularly in a cultural hub like Singapore, but this boutique hotel definitely gets away from it.
Located a roughly 20 minute drive from Changi Airport, you find yourself right in the proximity of one of my now-favourite parts of the city – Little India. If you are looking for an alternative to the more cosmopolitan shopping districts Singapore is renowned for, The Vagabond Club is the perfect hub for you to make your base.
Welcomed by friendly concierge staff who offered me a choice of water, coffee or tea (black or chai) on arrival, the check-in process was swift and allowed me time to scope out the lobby, which then led to the restaurant/bar area – The Executive Lounge and Bar Vagabond. Hotel designer Jacques Garcia approached The Vagabond Club with the idea of ‘everything in excess’ and well, the brief is certainly met here. From the dark hardwood floors, to the indulgent reds theme that drives the The Executive Lounge’s decor, to the otherwise out of place golden rhino that stands proudly in the lobby, The Vagabond Club definitely has its own charm.
Being escorted to my room on the second floor, I was soon left to explore. Mine was part of the Classic Room series of the boutique hotel, boasting more character in one hotel room than I have ever experienced. Looking out on to the street below, opposite local bars and eateries, the room was host to a luxurious king sized bed decked out in bed linen boasting 400 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheeting.
Using space well, the bathroom and toilet areas of the room are kept separate though confined off to the right side of the bed. A decorated sliding door closes the bathroom area off and acts as a feature wall while when open, the full space of the area can be appreciated. The shower is spacious, the amenities plentiful. The hotel’s complimentary turn down service also came as a pleasant surprise when I returned to the room later on in the evening; my curtains had been closed, bathmats were laid down in case I had wanted to shower before bed, and my quilts and pillows were arranged so I could climb directly into bed with ease.
Not quite used to the humidity of Singapore during my first night, the hotel room acted as a great sanctuary – the air conditioning was glorious and the quietness of the room was much sought after following days spent in the hustle and bustle.
With a Samsung flat screen TV offering a range of cable channels and movies to view for free, plus high speed wi-fi that came complimentary, you really do have everything you could want within the hotel room. In terms of room service, The Vagabond Club works in collaboration with a number of local restaurants in providing their guests with a range of cuisines. The restaurant downstairs also offers up fusion cuisine that remains popular.
Breakfast options were plentiful – I opted for a selection of fresh fruits and pastries during my stay; the produce, while pricey by Australian standards, was delicious. While The Vagabond Club does well in representing the deeply-rooted vibrancy existing in Singapore’s multi-cultural city, it really does exist separately in its own bubble. Very chic and very modern, very Western, The Vagabond Club offers its guests a unique and yes, unforgettable hotel experience.
Address: 39 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore, 207630
Photos provided by the Hotel. For more details head to their official website, or book yourself a room now over at Booking.com. The author stayed at the hotel for three nights with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board.
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